Meta settles teenager’s case, leaving only Snap in Los Angeles trial

LOS ANGELES: US company Meta Platforms reached an out-of-court settlement on 30 October in a teenager’s case over Social Media addiction. According to reports, Snap will now be the only company facing the upcoming trial.

The plaintiff is identified as KDB, an 18-year-old woman from Mississippi. She alleges that using Instagram and Facebook left her with addiction, mental Health problems and eating disorders. The financial terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

Meta had earlier also settled with another plaintiff, SJ. Both plaintiffs had also reached settlements with TikTok and YouTube.

Jury selection for the trial began on 28 October. The case is among the sample cases selected from thousands filed against Social Media companies.

Meta says it is committed to protecting young users and will continue to defend itself in court.

Meta’s recent lobbying documents list child safety and parental approval as topics, while Snap’s documents mention the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act.